Can’t civil servants travel abroad at will?

The conclusion is that civil servants’ overseas travel is not arbitrary, but is subject to strict management and approval systems. According to the "Interim Provisions on Strengthening the Management of State Employees Going Abroad (Border) for Private Matters", state workers, including civil servants and personnel subject to civil servant management, must complete corresponding approval procedures when going abroad (border) for private matters. This provision aims to strengthen management, adapt to the needs of reform and opening up, and protect national security and interests.

First of all, all national staff’s overseas trips must be approved based on organizational and personnel management authority. This is to ensure the legality and rationality of overseas activities. Secondly, although the public security organs have simplified the procedures for ordinary citizens to go abroad (border), state workers still need to maintain high management standards and follow the central government's regulations on party and government leading cadres going abroad (border).

In management work, various organizations, personnel departments and public security agencies need to work closely together to ensure effective supervision of state personnel traveling abroad for private matters and avoid management loopholes and shirk of responsibility. Any violation of the regulations will be held accountable accordingly.

In general, civil servants’ overseas travel is not a free decision for individuals, but is subject to an approval process guided by strict regulations aimed at safeguarding national interests and discipline.